Former AFC Leopards captain Eugene Mukangula has spoken candidly about the lasting effects of losing his captaincy and his eventual departure from the club, expressing his wish that the situation had been handled differently.In June 2023, a players’ strike over unpaid winning bonuses proved costly for Mukangula and his then-assistant Peter Thiong’o. Both were stripped of their leadership roles, and before the season ended, the club announced that the two would be leaving, citing their involvement in and support for the industrial action.##NAJAVA_MECA_8408963##Following his exit from AFC Leopards, Mukangula joined Shabana FC for a season but was released at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Thiong’o, on the other hand, signed with Posta Rangers for a season before returning to his former club, Kakamega Homeboyz.Reflecting on the events that led to his dismissal, Mukangula, also a former Thika United player, revealed that being stripped of the captaincy marked the beginning of a difficult period in his career.”Things have never been the same since I lost the captaincy at Leopards,” he told SportsBoom.com. “It came with a lot of ridicule. I was branded a rebel and seen as an unfit player, which wasn’t true. I would have preferred to leave the club on better terms.” he told SportsBoom.Although the past is behind him, Mukangula continues to follow AFC Leopards’ matches and is open to a potential return, though it would depend on certain conditions and discussions with his agent.Kenyans react to Harambee Stars heavy defeat against Cameroon”There’s no bad blood at all, but terms would need to be agreed upon before I consider coming back. I’ve been attending their matches mainly because they’ve been held at convenient locations. If they want my services again, I’m open to it, but my agent and I would need to discuss things first,” he added.Mukangula’s stint at Shabana FC was marred by injuries that sidelined him during a critical period. Now without a club, the left-footed midfielder remains hopeful for the next step in his career.”I was ready to start fresh at Shabana, and the beginning was promising. But injuries slowed me down, and by the time I was fully fit, the coach couldn’t risk making changes as the team was fighting for promotion to the top flight,” he explained.Now in the twilight of his career, Mukangula carries some career regrets. “I never fully met my expectations,” he reflected. “I had dreamed of playing professional football abroad and becoming a regular for the national team. I also hoped to win trophies in our domestic competitions. But I don’t feel like I failed, as long as I gave my best and fought honestly,” he said.Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat clashes with journalists after Cameroon defeat
